16th Annual Turn 2 Foundation Dinner - June 21, 2012

NEW YORK -- New York Yankees captain and shortstop Derek Jeter hosted his 16th Annual Turn 2 Foundation Dinner at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on June 21.

The evening was a huge success, raising money for the Turn 2 Foundation through sponsorship sales, auctions and donations. Proceeds from the event will help further the Foundation's mission of promoting healthy lifestyles among today's youth in New York, West Michigan and Tampa, Fla.

Many of Jeter's teammates and other celebrity guests joined the sponsors and supporters at the event including Dominique Dawes, Harry Carson, Greg Jennings, Tino Martinez, John Starks, Gerald Williams, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Andruw Jones, Jayson Nix, Mike Harkey, Mick Kelleher, Kevin Long, CC Sabathia, Rob Thompson and Larry Rothschild. A highlight of the evening was the special performance by biggest-selling R&B group of all time Boyz II Men.

The evening was fast-paced as emcee Bruce Beck (WNBC-TV) kept the program moving with his trademark wit and poise. Honorees included two Turn 2 MVP award recipients: Dennis Walcott, chancellor for New York City Public Schools and Simona Vareikaite, a graduate of Turn 2's premier leadership development program, the Jeter's Leaders Program. Eleven high school graduates from the New York City and Kalamazoo Jeter's Leaders Programs were celebrated for their academic achievement. The evening also included exciting silent and live auctions featuring unique memorabilia donated by Steiner Sports Memorabilia.

In a red carpet interview before the event, Derek said, "My favorite part about having a Foundation is when the parents tell me what a positive impact participating in our programs has been for their children."

The Turn 2 Foundation, established in 1996, has awarded more than $16 million in grants to create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to TURN 2 healthy lifestyles. Through these ventures, the Foundation strives to create outlets for children to achieve academic excellence, develop leadership skills and remain drug and alcohol free. These programs all share the same goal of helping today's youth become the leaders of tomorrow.

Since its launch in 1996, the Turn 2 Foundation has awarded more than $20 million to create and support signature programs that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "Turn 2" healthy lifestyles. Learn more »

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.